The Louisiana native, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, was an early member of the Hollywood Flames and sang lead on the doo-wop group's biggest hit, "Buzz Buzz Buzz."

He was later known as half of the soul-music duo Bob & Earl, which penned the famous song, "Harlem Shuffle," The Los Angeles Times said.

Recording under the name Jackie Lee, Nelson had hits on the U.S. pop charts with "The Duck," "African Boo-Ga-Loo" and "The Chicken" in the late 1960s and early 1970s, The Times said.

Nelson, who was divorced twice, is survived by Susan, his wife of 17 years; nine children; 26 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, the newspaper said.